Queenslanders with Disability to enjoy the greatest Human Rights protections in Australia

Endeavour Foundation Interim CEO David Curd has commended the Queensland Government on tabling the Human Rights Bill 2018 in Queensland Parliament today.

Mr Curd said the Bill currently under consideration in Parliament provided for some of the broadest human rights protections in Australia, and would make an important difference in the lives of people with a disability and other disadvantaged Queenslanders.

“Endeavour Foundation applauds the Government’s decision to include the right to health care and the right to education within the definition of human rights to be protected under the Act,” Mr Curd said.

“Access to health care and education are areas where people with a disability have faced entrenched, life-altering disadvantage,” he said.

“Some people with a disability have faced mighty battles in order to access adequate health care and educational opportunities – essential social services that we take for granted as being freely available to all.

“With the introduction of this legislation the Government has set a standard to protect the dignity and worth of each person, regardless of age, race, sex, disability, social status or any other characteristic.

“Queensland is the third state or territory to introduce human rights legislation, but will be the first to put the right to health care and the right to education on the same footing as civil and political rights - rights which have particular relevance to people living with disability.

“Importantly, the creation of a complaints mechanism in the form of a Queensland Human Rights Commission will ensure ordinary people have the opportunity to raise their human rights concerns with the Commissioner. This will make the laws far more accessible for people with a disability.

“We welcome the opportunity to review the proposed laws along with other community members during the upcoming committee process.

“We congratulate the Queensland Government on leading the way towards a fair, just and equal society for all,” he concluded.